Hot, hey boy it’s hot. Thought we were gonna head into Fall, but nope. Well into the upper 90s yesterday, and as humid. Soaked me to the skin to do some work in the garage. Today will likely be similar. Not looking forward to it.
Did my hobby meeting yesterday. Got an overview of how the club did with our show, we lost ~$70. We usually make a couple of thousand dollars, but attendance was down. If not for a new deal with the table rental company, we’d have lost almost $2000. We have money in the bank, but the yearly show is our only real fundraiser, and it pays for the stuff we do during the year. I grossed somewhere between $1200 and $2400 for my three days. Dunno where I ended up net, because some of the stuff I sold I’d had so long I couldn’t even guess what my cost was. Since I didn’t take any big hits, I’m guessing somewhere around $1000 net. That will fund my hobby for the next year, mostly, and the main point is to be out there talking with people and interacting with them. Just like my hamfest sales.
After the meeting, one of the guys locked his keys in his truck. A newer F-150. I have a slim jim and a chinese made kit of “entry tools” in my truck, but I didn’t have my air wedges. The F-150 door is solid enough that without the plastic pry bars and the air shims, I was afraid to try to open it. The guy he called opened it in 1 minute using 2 air shims and a big long metal stick. He used the stick to push the unlock button… I want one. Charged $200 and had the nerve to ask for a tip. My buddy is considering getting an AAA membership…
Getting into your own vehicle is something everyone should learn to do, and practice at least a couple of times. And a spare key in a magnet storage box tucked up under the frame is a good idea. $10 to save $200, and a half hour waiting… that’s a good prep.
Speaking of “entry tools”… one of the auctioneers I was talking to this week had their work pickup truck stolen from their office complex. They had previously had their catalytic converter stolen, and then the replacement was stolen a week later. This time, 4 guys in two cars drove up, one guy messed around under the middle of the truck (my guess, disengaging the transmission or putting it in neutral) for a few seconds, then they pushed it out of view of the camera. Don’t know if they towed it from there or did more breaking in away from the cam… The office is in Stafford, generally considered a decent and ‘safe’ area. Lots of ‘immigrants’ in the area now.
The security situation is degrading everywhere.
Today I’ll be doing stuff around the house. What stuff will mostly depend on the heat. There is a big list, so I’m sure I’ll find something to do to avoid it 🙂
Stack some friends, stack some knowledge, and maybe stack some specialty tools…
nick